The Newtown Bridle Lands Association will hold an open meeting on Tuesday, October 15, at 7:30 pm, at Newtown Meeting House, 31 Main Street. Olympic horsewoman and renowned trainer Lendon Gray will speak on the subject of  “Fairness in Training Our Horses,” which will apply to all equestrian disciplines.

Gray grew up riding western, hunt seat, and bareback, playing gymkhana games, driving, and generally having fun riding and caring for horses. Pony Club played the central role in her life from age 7 through her 20s. During that time she also trained with the Olympic Three Day Team.

At 27, Gray started to specialize in dressage and, at the same time, Seldom Seen, the first of her famous dressage “ponies,” came into her life.

At only 14.2-plus hands high, he was national champion at third, fourth level, Prix St George’s, Intermediare 1 and 2, and Grand Prix. Although Gray rode warmbloods in her two Olympics, the World Championships and the World Cup, her ponies held a special place in her heart. They proved to the world the bigger isn’t necessarily better. This experience also gave her direction to encourage those without the fanciest horses, trainers, or greatest opportunities to be “the best that you can be.”

Now while running Gleneden Dressage, a stable with 52 horses under her supervision in Bedford, N.Y., Gray is extremely active with the US Equestrian Team, American Horse Show Association, and US Dressage Federation. Her greatest energies go to trying to develop all riders, but juniors especially, to learn correct basics and become all-round horsemen.

Reservations to newtownhorses@gmail.com are requested for those planning to attend.